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Economic costs of wind erosion in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Irene Y. Feng

    (George Mason University
    George Mason University
    George Mason University)

  • Thomas E. Gill

    (University of Texas at El Paso)

  • R. Scott Van Pelt

    (USDA Agricultural Research Service)

  • Nicholas P. Webb

    (USDA Agricultural Research Service)

  • Daniel Q. Tong

    (George Mason University
    George Mason University)

Abstract

Wind erosion and resulting dust negatively impact the environment and society, but there has been no comprehensive assessment of costs to the United States since the 1990s. Climate and society have changed greatly since then, including changing dustiness, spiking Valley fever infections and increased renewable energy use. By adopting published estimates and calculating emerging costs, we estimate that wind erosion and dust in the United States cost $154.4 billion annually (2017 value). This estimate quadruples the previous assessment and is higher than most other US weather and climate disasters. We also discovered many costs associated with wind erosion that are not accounted for. Our estimate, while conservative, reveals that the economic burden of wind erosion is substantial and investment in dust mitigation could yield large economic benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Irene Y. Feng & Thomas E. Gill & R. Scott Van Pelt & Nicholas P. Webb & Daniel Q. Tong, 2025. "Economic costs of wind erosion in the United States," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 307-314, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1038_s41893-024-01506-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01506-4
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